Chapter 28
The scene instantly fell silent. Everyone’s gazes landed on Qin Chu.
No wonder her walking looked somewhat uncoordinated. So she was lame—and one who dared act recklessly and keep a male concubine at that.
The noble young ladies of the capital were not fools. With just a couple of sentences, they heard the deeper meaning in Gu San’s words.
Although they also looked down on Gu San, who was staying in Prince Xian’s residence without a proper title or status, the Second Prince was the one most favored by the female emperor. Now that he was openly protecting Gu San, everyone inevitably had to curry favor with her somewhat.
As for Qin Chu—
It seemed Miss Gu, whom the Second Prince had brought with him, did not like this woman. Otherwise, why would she expose someone’s weakness in such a setting?
That made things simple. They had been worrying about not knowing how to please Gu San.
Qin Chu had never been someone who wronged herself, but this was Prince Xian’s residence. She quietly clenched her fist and endured it, saying neither humbly nor arrogantly, “Third Miss Gu has a very good memory.”
As expected, this was not a good banquet. What exactly was that disastrous Second Prince doing? Was he no longer covering up their identities?
“Oh, this Miss Qin has not yet married, has she? She truly does not bind herself by etiquette. How enviable for us.” The one who spoke was a girl standing beside Gu San, the daughter of Minister Lu of the Ministry of Revenue.
The Second Prince worked at the Ministry of Revenue, and Miss Lu knew her parents’ intentions. She intended to befriend the Second Prince.
As for Gu San, whom the Second Prince protected, of course she had to please her.
Gu San knew very well her current position among everyone. She had only thrown out the opening and was waiting to watch Qin Chu make a fool of herself.
Unexpectedly, as soon as Miss Lu’s words fell, Princess Consort Wei walked up to Qin Chu.
“Sister Qin is unconventional and truly makes us envious. This palace has not met such an interesting person in a long time. I have decided that you, little sister, are someone I must recognize.”
Prince Wei was the First Prince’s title, and Princess Consort Wei was the First Prince’s official consort.
Everyone could not help freezing. Miss Lu had clearly been mocking Qin Chu just now, right? Why did Princess Consort Wei seem unable to tell good words from bad ones, and actually become envious?
Qin Chu did not know who she was, but since someone was helping her out of this situation, she naturally had to thank her. Especially since this person called herself “this palace,” Qin Chu nodded and asked, “Qin Chu is overwhelmed by favor. May I ask who you are?”
Princess Consort Wei directly linked arms with her and answered with a smile, “Sister Qin, there is no need to be so polite. This palace is Princess Consort Wei. I feel we are old friends at first sight, and I wish to become sworn sisters with you. Sister Qin, please don’t dislike the idea.”
“Qin Chu would not dare. Greetings, Princess Consort Wei.” Hearing this, Qin Chu bowed. She did not know which prince had the title Prince Wei. Aside from the Second Prince, it had to be either the First Prince or the Third Prince. No matter which one, she could not afford to offend them.
But why was Princess Consort Wei so warm toward her?
Qin Chu was not the only one who could not understand. Gu San had not expected Princess Consort Wei to directly protect Qin Chu either, and her heart immediately filled with frustration.
Although she had received the Second Prince’s favor, she still had no title or status. Compared to Princess Consort Wei, who was already the First Prince’s official wife, she was still somewhat lacking.
Everyone’s expressions became subtle. What did Princess Consort Wei mean by this?
Old friends at first sight? How was that possible? Not a single person present believed it.
Only Side Consort Li of the Third Prince knew some inside information. Her elder sister-in-law was truly impatient.
Princess Consort Wei did not care what others thought and directly pulled Qin Chu toward the waterside pavilion not far away.
“Sister Qin and Third Miss Gu are old acquaintances. Are you also from Jiuqu County?”
“Yes.”
“Sister Qin, has anyone looked at your leg? Do you have time tomorrow to come to the prince’s residence? This palace will find an imperial physician to examine you.”
Qin Chu’s heart stirred, but her face showed nothing. “Many thanks for Your Highness’s concern, but my leg has been like this since birth.”
Princess Consort Wei’s face showed an appropriate amount of pity. “Sister, you truly have had a bitter fate. Don’t worry. In the future, when you walk around the capital, there is no need to fear anyone. This palace would like to see who dares bully Sister Qin.”
Her words carried a hidden meaning, and her eyes moved in Gu San’s direction.
Qin Chu understood. “Many thanks, Princess Consort. Qin Chu would not dare climb so high.”
“What is Sister Qin saying? From now on, treat this palace as your own elder sister. Don’t be so distant.”
Princess Consort Wei linked arms with Qin Chu and continuously tried to get closer to her.
Gu San watched with a gloomy face, gradually tightening her grip on Qiu Jinning’s arm.
Qiu Jinning glanced at Qin Chu and Princess Consort Wei, who looked very close and warm together, and temporarily relaxed. With Princess Consort Wei protecting her, it seemed there was no need to worry too much today.
Only, in the future, they would probably have difficulty finding peace…
“Miss Gu, I came to the capital to prepare for the examinations, and my studies are important. I will not disturb you further.”
She said goodbye at the right time and left Prince Xian’s residence with Luyao.
Gu San’s target had not been her to begin with, so she did not make things difficult.
After leaving the prince’s residence, Qiu Jinning lifted the carriage curtain and looked behind them. At the corner of Hou-Song Street, she had the carriage stop and found an inconspicuous nearby restaurant to enter.
Luyao was puzzled. “Miss, are we not going back?”
Qiu Jinning calmly drank tea. “No. We are waiting for someone.”
“Waiting for Miss Qin and the plump maid?”
Qiu Jinning said nothing. Before long, the door of the private room was knocked. She glanced at Luyao. “Open the door and guard outside.”
Luyao opened the door in a daze. Seeing that the visitor was a man—and somewhat familiar—alarm bells immediately rang in her heart.
Wasn’t this Academic Official Zhou, who had left after being in office for only two days? So Miss had not been waiting for Qin the Great Good-for-Nothing after all? Ah, no. How could Miss wait for another man?
Then what about Qin the Great Good-for-Nothing? She was the future son-in-law. No, that was not right either. Miss’s thoughts were hard to guess, and it was not certain who the future son-in-law would be.
Had Miss come to her senses? Did she no longer like Qin the Great Good-for-Nothing? Academic Official Zhou did look dignified and handsome, so he was not bad either.
Thinking that Qin Chu might be about to lose her young lady’s favor, Luyao somehow could not feel even a trace of joy.
Qin the Great Good-for-Nothing was no good…
The Second Prince entered and sat opposite Qiu Jinning. “Miss Qiu, long time no see.”
At the flower-viewing banquet, he had only watched from afar for a while, yet this woman had guessed he would follow. As expected of the heaven-chosen phoenix maiden. She was extraordinarily intelligent.
Qiu Jinning rose and bowed. “Greetings, Second Prince.”
The Second Prince smiled faintly. “Miss Qiu, no need to be so polite. You should have guessed why this prince has come, yes?”
Qiu Jinning looked at him calmly. “Your Highness already has the answer in your heart.”
The answer that neither she nor Qin Chu wished to see.
“Miss Qiu is worthy of being the chosen one. Yesterday, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau calculated the phoenix maiden’s birthdate and time. It is the third quarter of the hour of Mao on the last day of late spring. She should have just turned twenty this year. As soon as this news came out, it was sealed off. Imperial Mother only told this prince.” The Second Prince’s words carried pride.
The female emperor favored the Second Prince, so naturally she hid no news from the son who satisfied her the most.
Late spring referred to the third month, and the last day of the third month happened to be Qiu Jinning’s birthday.
Qiu Jinning’s expression paused slightly. “Does Your Highness hope Qin Chu will wear red from now on?”
The Second Prince revealed a broad smile. “Miss Qiu is truly gifted. That is precisely this prince’s intention.”
He also intended to immediately release the news that Qin Chu was the one who had thought of the table-style bookkeeping method.
In this way, Qin Chu would correspond to every key point on the phoenix painting: one leg, red clothes, and the phoenix appearing in Jiuqu. How could the other two princes not believe it?
With Gu San openly serving as one shield, and Qin Chu—who matched the prophecy in every way—as another, Qiu Jinning’s identity as the true phoenix maiden would be better hidden.
Only he would know the truth. The pavilion closest to the water enjoyed the moonlight first. How could his great undertaking fail?
“Qin Chu is innocent. She should not be dragged into this.” Qiu Jinning held the teacup on the table, her expression without waves.
“Qin Chu is innocent, and Gu San is also innocent. Those who accomplish great things do not fuss over trifles. My eldest imperial brother is self-willed and already has an official consort. My third imperial brother is frivolous and spoiled, with two side consorts, four lesser consorts, and countless favored concubines in his residence. Imperial Mother values this prince the most. Miss Qiu is a clever person. You should know how to choose.”
The Second Prince felt extremely fortunate he had listened to his imperial mother and had not rushed to take a consort for the sake of drawing court officials to his side. Currently, there were only a few concubines in Prince Xian’s residence. The positions of official consort and side consort were still empty.
As long as Qiu Jinning was not foolish, she should know she ought to choose him.
Qiu Jinning lowered her eyes. Of course she knew how to choose. Her heart already had someone it belonged to.
“Your Highness, please return. If you stay too long, I fear it will be improper.”
The Second Prince froze. “This prince thought that at this moment, we should drink three cups in celebration. Miss Qiu, would you honor me?”
Why did this woman show no joy at all? She did not look happy in the slightest. It was as if she looked down on him.
Without waiting for Qiu Jinning to speak, he turned and ordered a table of wine and dishes. His eyes darkened as he said, “What? Why is Miss Qiu still so cold-faced? Are you dissatisfied with this prince?”
The other two princes both had worse reputations than he did, and they had not yet met Qiu Jinning. Logically, this should not be the case.
Qiu Jinning’s brows and eyes darkened. “This official’s daughter would not dare. My temperament has been like this since childhood.”
At this moment, she was restraining her chaotic heartbeat, which became disordered whenever she approached the Second Prince. She also had no interest in being some phoenix maiden or taking the position of princess consort. How could she possibly have a pleasant expression?
Especially since the Second Prince had pushed Qin Chu into the center of the whirlpool. That she could endure without getting up and leaving was already because she was taking his identity into consideration.
Hearing this, the Second Prince’s eyes brightened. “Not showing joy or anger on one’s face—the mother of a nation should indeed be like this.”
Mother of a nation? Qiu Jinning’s heart froze into ice. When the waiter brought in the wine and dishes, she abruptly stood. “This official’s daughter cannot smell alcohol, so I will not accompany Your Highness.”
To avoid angering the Second Prince, she reluctantly revealed a faint smile and added, “Your Highness, there is plenty of time ahead. At this moment, we should be even more cautious. I will fulfill my own duty and focus on preparing for the exam. Before the dust settles, it is best for us to meet less.”
Watching Qiu Jinning leave, the Second Prince glanced at the wine and dishes on the table and immediately lost interest.
A beauty with both talent and appearance, the future mother of the nation and heaven-appointed phoenix maiden. For now, she still satisfied him. It was just that her temperament was too cold, lacking a bit of charm.
The Second Prince shook his head to himself. It was only the position of empress. In the future, he would just treat her as a decoration.
On this side, after Qiu Jinning returned to the residence, she instructed the little maid, “Go watch at the gate. If Miss Qin returns, say that I drank wine and feel unwell.”
As long as that person heard Luyao’s words, she should immediately come find her, right?
Seeing that her young lady did indeed seem uncomfortable, Luyao hurriedly went to guard the gate. When she saw Qin Chu arrive late, she could not help muttering to herself. If Miss was unwell, shouldn’t they find a doctor?
Why find Qin the Great Good-for-Nothing? Could Qin the Great Good-for-Nothing treat illnesses? She really couldn’t tell.
“Our Miss drank wine and seems a little unwell. She specifically had me guard the gate to inform you.”
The moment Qin Chu returned to the residence and heard Luyao’s words, she immediately forgot everything else and lifted her leg to run toward the eastern side courtyard.
Guanzi chased after her from behind while shouting, “Miss, slow down! Be careful not to fall!”
When Miss ran, she almost swayed three times with every step. Her legs were clearly inconvenient, so how was she running faster than Guanzi?
Guanzi wiped her sweat as she watched Luyao also quickly run past her.
“Plump maid, you’re too fat. You can’t even catch up to your own Miss. Tsk, tsk, tsk.”
After running past, Luyao did not forget to mock her a few times. She did catch up, but unfortunately, she was mercilessly blocked outside the door.
From inside the room came Qiu Jinning’s slightly unstable voice. “None of you are allowed in. Having Qin Chu here is enough.”
Author’s Note:
Warm reminder: The Baiyue Dynasty has previously had transmigrators, reborn people, book transmigrators… so glass, ice-making, vegetable greenhouses, and so on are not rare. For details, you can take a look at the author’s other completed works. Most of the stories take place in this dynasty.
Hands on hips, proud.
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